Pantograph Placement Guide Tutorial
Basic Pantograph Patterns
©2007, Cindy Roth
Longarm University, Inc.®

It is assumed that you have read and understand the Basic Pantograph Instructions posted on the Longarm University website.  (To view these instructions in a .pdf file Click Here)The instructions that follow are based on those instructions.

Prepare the Pantograph Pattern—Place your pattern on a flat surface (the table of the quilting machine works well). Line up a long ruler or other straight edge across the top of the pattern with the ruler just touching the “highest point” of the pattern.  Draw a straight line across the length of the pattern connecting the high points of the pattern.

Repeat this process and draw a line connecting the “lowest points” of the pattern.

Find a spot on the pattern, preferably the “high point” of the pattern, and draw a vertical line between the two horizontal lines. This line should be about 10 inches or so away from the right edge of the pattern. 

Note:  Some patterns may already have these lines drawn on the pattern.

Place the horizontal and vertical placement lines of the Horizontal Placement Guide (shown as a white dashed line on the photos at the left) on the upper horizontal registration line and the vertical registration line of the paper pattern. (The etched lines of the guide are facing down). Using a Vis-à-vis or other water soluble marker, draw the pattern on to the plastic. See photos below.

If you make a mistake when drawing the pattern, simply wipe the plastic with a damp paper towel to remove the marker.

The pantograph pattern that is used in the following photos is Woodcut Camellia from the Kim Darwin Collection. 

Move the Horizontal Placement Guide to the lower edge of the pattern. Place the Vertical Placement Guide plastic extension into the slot to form an upside down “T”. Place the horizontal and vertical placement lines of the Placement Guide (shown as a white dashed line on the photo at the right) on the lower horizontal line and the vertical line of the pattern. See the  photo at the right.

Notice how the etched line on the guide is on top of the lower horizontal registration line.  Because the pattern is drawn onto the plastic you can see that the pattern looks “smooshed” together.

To change the spacing of the rows, move the Horizontal Placement Guide down (away) from the lower horizontal line on the (paper) pattern until the spacing of both the drawn pattern and the paper pattern looks good to you. (The horizontal etched lines on the Guide are in 1/4 inch intervals.) On the pattern shown in the photo at the left there is 1/4 inch between the two rows of the  patterns. 

Place the Side Placement Guides at the place where  the laser indicates the left and right raw edge of the quilt are.  This will let you know when you get to the edge of the quilt when you are stitching. 

Once all the Pantograph Placement Guides are in place begin stitching the first row of the pantograph pattern.

Back to Patterns Page